DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT TUESDAY – SEE BEYOND THE MOMENT.

As if you could kill time without injuring eternity. - Henry David Thoreau.

For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. - Luke 12:23.

On November 25, 1895, a cornerstone of ice was laid in Leadville, Colorado -- the beginning of the largest ice palace ever built in America. In an effort to bolster the town's sagging economy, the citizens staged a winter carnival. On New Year's Day of 1896, the town turned out for the grand opening. The immense palace measured 450 x 320 feet. The towers that flanked the entrance were 90 feet high. Inside was a 16,000-square-foot skating rink.

But by the end of March the palace was melting away, along with the hopes of Leadville. The thousands of visitors had spent very little. - Today in the Word.

In the rush of the holiday season and the grab at getting and giving gifts, it is very important to remember that life is much more than even the most basic things we think we need. If we lose sight of God, his work and his will in our lives, then what do we have? Not much and it won't last long! My prayer for you, and for me, during this holiday season is that we are reminded of what is most important, most valuable, and most enduring.

There are three huge gates that lead into the Cathedral of Milan. Over one gate there is an inscription in marble under a beautiful flower bouquet that says, "The things that please are temporary."

Over the second gate, there is a cross with this inscription: "The things that disturb us are temporary."

However, over the central gate, there is a big inscription saying, "Eternal are the important ones." - Source Unknown.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and we need to remember this when we get a little disoriented at this time of the year. This is a great encouragement to us, because if we live for the moment, there is no peace. It is an act of Christian love, born out of the birth of Christ, to give each other gifts at this time, but if we get agitated and disturbed about what gifts we are giving, there will be no peace in our lives. If we commit our gift buying to the Lord, He will give us peace, and it only takes a few minutes, but it keeps the focus on Christ, where it should be, at Christmas.

Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide.

Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew.

Only two pictures remained veiled. As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner.

The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace?

A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power.

A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil. - Berit Kjos.

Remember, that our gift to someone is an extension of our love, as it was with the Father, when He gave us the gift of His only Son. It wasn’t a momentary gift, but a gift that would be for eternity,
praise His wonderful and mighty Name! And if we value Christ in our lives, we will not live for the moment, but forever, bathed in His magnificent love and peace.

Loving Father, almighty and awesome in glory, yet so near and so concerned about my heart, thank you for knowing and loving me with an everlasting love. Please give me the wisdom to see beyond the momentary things of life and find you and your sustaining peace. In Jesus' wonderful and mighty Name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY